Blog Archives

Image

Sustainable Fashion Night Out Montclair – The Designers

Montclair, NJ – Sustainable Fashion Night Out – Thursday September 6th 2012

Introducing the Designers

Born Again Vintage

Born Again Vintage, a clothing line by designer B. Artise is the future of women’s apparel. It is comprised of garments produced from vintage clothing, recycled clothing, and recyclable fabric. Born Again Vintage is a pioneering force in sustainable fashion with designs being sold in boutiques from Soho to Tokyo. Born Again Vintage has appeared on top reality show Jerseylicious and has an A-list clientele including names like Sheryl Crow and Vivica Fox. B. Artise teaches a vintage class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and her book “Born Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent and Recycle Your Wardrobe” (Crown Publishing) has been reviewed in over 50 different publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. The New York Times brands her as a “Vintage Expert”.

Patoise by Sherieka Anglin provides many services in the areas of styling, personal shopping, designing, event coordinating, and costume design. Our team of seasoned fashion and business professionals has experience working with companies such as A&F, Liz Claiborne Inc., & Ebony Fashion Fair. Patoise will be one of the many talented designers featured in Born Again Vintage starting fall 2012; stop by to preview our stylish catalog of carefully selected jewelry and handbags!

Rewynd Vintage began in January of 2009 and is co founded by Schnia Roseberry and Tiffany Smith. We specialize in eclectic vintage pieces for the fashion savvy client. Our vintage clothing and accessories are for individuals that aren’t conformed to society trends and seeking a unique profile. We believe in “having expensive taste without the expense.”

Corinthia Peoples

An elegant, wearable art jewelry collection that inspires and adorns women’s inner and outer sprits with unique one-of-a-kind/limited edition semi-precious gemstones and sterling silver jewelry. The collection speaks to the art enthusiast and to women who revel in being authentic and rare yet classy & passionate. Corinthia Peoples Designs has currently launched its first apparel collection of custom original cuts and fabrics that are enriched with African motifs and textures with a modern day jazz.

Beautymarks Boutique

The ‘go-to source’ for short and long evening wear styles including cocktail dresses, homecoming dresses, prom gowns, holiday party dresses, bridal party dresses and other special occasions. For more than 15 years Lorraine Morgan’s Beautymarks Boutique has been renowned in fashion for image and pioneering style. Beautymarks Boutique – The Image You Want.

The D-list

By Yolonda Sheffa, is a fun and quirky t-shirt company that believes in not creating drama but wearing it! The D-List offers screen printed shirts, vintage finds, and unique accessories. Sooner or later everyone will want to be on The D-List!

BANJO and BONE

Established by NJ native Allison Snedikeri 2011 as a brand reflective of her love for the art of handcrafting, history and culture. Each Banjo and Bone item has been designed and handcrafted by Allison, using combinations of worldly and recycled materials (ex: Sandalwood beads she picked up on a trip to Tibet and vintage 1970′s brass chains). The name is derived from her Hound dog, Banjo and his bone.

Old World Living Designs

Lisa La Valle-Finan is a sustainable home furnishings company that captures the essence of European style on a flea market budget. Known playfully as the original “flea market fanatic” she decorates using original, vintage, and found pieces that support the sustainable, frugal and wise lifestyle. The host of affordable flea market shopping trips to Europe throughout the year, she not only guides her clients through the fleas but shares her knowledge about local culture at the same time with a handy background in cultural anthropology. You can purchase all of her items for your home at Born Again Vintage and her Etsy Shop, Creative Converzens

Metal Taboo

An NYC based line of socially deviant metal art that displays and celebrates our arrogance, sexuality, vulgarity, frustrations, and angst. Know thyself.

 

Image

Second Chances and Second Thoughts

Second hand does not mean second rate and my Old World Living Designs are no second hand rose items! Instead, the fleas and second hand goods are a way to achieve my kind of “grown up” style. The home furnishing line may include high style items, but they are not high priced. In fact, I know the bottom line for my customers is about being frugal and green.

This mantra inspires me – being frugal and Green (and Slow!) originated with living in Europe which was anything but expensive or wasteful. I l can’t help but smile that finally, the consumer-oriented retail culture of the U.S. is recognizing that second hand “stuff” gets a second life, and the environment gets a second chance.

So it’s no wonder that this kind of mindset brought me to Etsy – a digital flea market similar to Ebay only it has to be original vintage or found – which in turn lead me to an Etsy success seminar at “Atelier 516”in Montclair, NJ. The seminar was informative but it was the meeting after the meeting with the store owner that has blossomed into an opportunity to showcase my frugally fabulous interior design ideas.

What’s more, I am now part of a second hand, green coop in spearheaded by Bridgett Artise, who wrote Born Again Vintage Here is her website http://www.b-artise.com

I am not only a vendor, but I am re-imagining the space with all of my vintage finds and architectural salvage pieces. Our grand opening is slated for September 6. Every vendor sells items that are either original vintage or found. We believe it is much more than a store. It’s about being “Greentailers” (very retail 2.0) in terms of what we sell, who we are and how our store will leave little or no carbon footprint.
I am the home furnishings vendor and here are the before and after pictures of a small desk I found at a flea market. Not only will I paint the home furnishings line with non-toxic, green, and very “old world” milk paint, but I will sell the milk paint too.


Kinda fabulous colors, dontcha think! You can find paint and furniture (custom orders welcome!) at http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativeconverzens
Although the store is open for business, we are throwing a grand opening gala celebration September 6, 2012 from 6-9pm and I will be singing the praises of TagSellIt.com apps, because these are my secret to success. Whenever I am in a new neighborhood, I simply access one of my TSI apps to locate a nearby flea market, tag sale or second hand shop that I can upcycle and sell.

I have few regrets, but if I had a second chance to rewind history, instead of the infamous post 9/11 “get out and shop” message I would have said, get out and upcycle. It will create less land fill and still be good for the economy.